The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-11
PIoKErI,s MONUMENT

The survivors Of Pickett's charge ct
Gettysburg, so patheticaly described
by Gen. Longstrset In q recent p sper
in the Century, desiring to commend.
rate what Is by long odds the most
brilliant affair Of the civil war, decided
to erect monument to Gen. Pickett
on the farthest point reached by his
division ON that memorable occasion.
They completed all their arrange.
ment', and q committee OF their
number went to the field Of
Gettysburg TO decide upon tie
site. but the Battle Ground Com
mittee refused assent. Why, is not
stated. Wore they prompted by the
narrow spirit that would seek 10 OBJ.
scure Plckett's Immortal deedf That
cannot be. All the Federal c1m-
manders who fought on that field
have in the fullness Of the spirit and
the generosity Of true soldiers, heroes
themselves, put their admiration on
record. CAN the world wondered" at
the sublime spectacle OF men marching
in the face Of death. No one was more
conscious oil the hopelsssn sss Of his
errand than Pickett himself, and his
dignity In the supreme hour Of self
sacri6js made even the brave Long
street cover his face. 1t was as il he
had said, "Morlturi salutamIs. Surely
there is no American living 80 das.
tardly as 10 think even for q moment
OF obtruding his littleness between 80
great q here and the historic justice
that is his. Even Gen. Doubleday,
who Was known in the old army for
his extremely radical views, and main
talned them always since, has pro.
nouDced his admiration Of P.ckett's
heroism in the strongest words he
could command. 1t was as sublime
and perilous deed as the charge Of
the six hundred. and was equally as
disastrous. To recall the simplest de-
scription OF II Is to become over
whelmed by feeling akin to that
which affected the COME ieIate sol.
diers who witnessed 1t. II was brief
but bloody episode. From the nome c {
when Pickett notified his commander
that he was going to make the charge
TO that when the bloody remnant OF
his noble division Of heroes returned
was go short that lie length is still
disputed. There was the colum q
marching under cover OF a heavy fire
OF artillery, In sight Of the Federal and
Confederate armies, both holding q,
'twere, their breath In wonder at an
audacity 30 plain. Then this brilliant
pageant was confused by the open.
ing OF a destructive FIRE by the con.
centrated batteries of the Federal
armies, the smoke OF which soon envel-
opsd the charging Coniederatss, who,
lost to their friends, were In second
confronted by goat army OF infantry
pushing past the guns and Instantly
making carnage and havoc In their
ranks. Still the smoke was heavy, and
strainiug ever so much, the Co lfed-
crates could not tell how Pickett Jared,
but they feared what was soon male
apparent in the strsggler3 who re-
turned from the Jaws OF hell. Already
one OF the stories that soldiers love to
tell. this charge has passed beyond the
reach Of the Gettysburg committee to
delay or hold back. 1t takes Its place
with the imperlehsble records OF mans
bravery and daring, and must some
day be commemorated on the field
where II transpired. The comrades oil
Pickett can affJrdto wait. Even il this
monument does not come In theil
day, their children's children, to whom
the story OF the heroic charge will de-
sc,nd. baliowed by time and clear in
the obsourity Of surrounding events
they will build 1t aud commemorate
the most dauntless charge OF the civil
war. Meanwhile PlcketPs monumen
Ia sacred from any touch in the heart
Of the people oil the South.
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